Revamp plan for Robinsons Singapore

Store closures lie ahead as the parent of Robinsons Singapore and the local M&S franchise refocuses on its key flagships.

Dubai-based Al-Futtaim Group will close several stores in the city state and revamp others.

The Marks & Spencer store at Centrepoint will close on March 29 to allow resources to be focused on the Wheelock Place flagship.

The John Little store at Marina Square will close on April 26 and the Tiong Bahru Plaza store will close in the last quarter of this year. The closures would allow the company to “focus manpower and resources on enhancing the Plaza Singapura and Jurong Point stores”.

In a statement, Kesri Kapur, head of business in Asia, said the moves were intended as a response to the fast evolving retail scene.

“This consolidation move is part of our group’s ongoing business strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of our businesses.”

A “major upgrade” will be undertaken of the Robinsons and Marks & Spencer stores at Raffles City and the Paragon store, the group said, with work commencing early next year.

A Marks & Spencer’s food hall will be added to the Robinsons The Heeren store towards the end of this year.